Nerdcore Rising – A Documentary about MC Frontalot
Last night, I saw a screening of a new independent film called Nerdcore Rising. The filmmakers follow a country-wide tour of a band called MC Frontalot, who are leaders in the genre of nerdcore hip hop, also known as geeksta rap. (That’s the name of the rapper himself, as well as the band, I think.) As I’m sure you can guess, it’s a cross between actual musical talent and self-deprecating ironic humor. Afterwards, we went to a party at Mantra Restaurant in Boston, which was turned into a nightclub for the occasion. ITA Software, my employer, sponsored the event. (Of course, for us it was a recruiting event, at least putatively. Come work here!)
The director, Negin Farsad, and many members of her team, were there and talked about the film. At the end, the members of the band walked out and took questions. Apparently there are quite a few nerdcore hip hop bands; estimates range from 50 to hundreds.
I’m not a rap fan at all, and I admit that I had trouble following the lyrics, which went by very quickly. And at the nightclub, everything was much too loud, and the vocals were mixed much too low (as always seems to be the case in these venues). Despite all that, I had a very good time.
Despite Farsad’s protestations that she only just learned how to make movies, it’s quite professionally done. The editing is great, and keeps the movie moving right along. It’s exciting and funny. If you get a chance, check it out. There’s plenty of music (with lyrics, yay!) at MC Frontalot’s web site.
April 30th, 2008 at 4:20 am
Unfortunately, I missed it at the Atlanta Film Festival because I had other plans *both* times it ran. I actually bought the DVD a while back, though. MC Chris is a regular at the local pub I visit, so I certainly get the NerdCore thing, but it isn’t on my regular playlist.
NerdCore Rising was actually filmed just up the street from me (OK about 6 blocks away). So I feel a certain connection to it. Feel free to pimp it!